Recent Activity

All

skypig Added a reply to Bike Magazine Shut Down?

10/6/2020 5:15am
Printed magazines are on their way to extinction. Being resistant to change - I hate to watch it. (It blows my mind how fast things are changing. “Video” rental chain stores went from sponsoring Race car teams to “gone” in a few years in Australia. “News Agency’s (Paper shop) have gone from a prime retail segment to “endangered” - less...

mp Liked a reply to forum topic Best front AND rear tire

9/27/2020 7:02am
For the last very long while, it's hard to go wrong with a: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 ... front and rear. Every venture in another direction over the years keeps me coming back to the above. You might be able to eek out smidgens of performance with other combos on certain days, but in general if these do you wrong, it's hard to say it was the tires.
This forum topic has 102 replies.

Skerby Liked a reply to forum topic STFU Chain Damper

7/29/2020 3:08pm
The foam roadie grip tape is the best stuff I ever used to quiet chain slap. It weighs next to nothing and will hold up for a long time, just wrap your stays!
This forum topic has 9 replies.
Been awhile since I've been in the market for a new bike. Currently riding a 2013 Canfield Yelli Screamy, which had some progressive geometry for the time (and by today's standards would be an XC race bike). Starting to think about picking up a trail bike - something like a GG Trail Pistol or this new Transition looks rad. But I live in a flat region (eastern Maine) - Sure, there's the occasional 50 foot descent, but for the most part it's just flat, rocky, rooty, twisty, technical stuff. There's a lot more slow, slogging, technical chunder than anything else...
This forum topic has 37 replies.

skypig Added a reply to New Rider Question

6/1/2020 7:03am
What about a lightweight ramp and roll your bike up it, into the truck bed? If awkward - a rope/strap through a ring bolt near the cab. One end attaches to the front of the bike, pull on the other end. Like a winch. Guiding the bike with your other hand. I think you are going to Really enjoy your...

skypig Added a reply to New Rider Question

5/31/2020 3:06pm
I’m also in that category: old washed up MX racer (Still race, well at least line up...) While MX gets more “difficult”, with less tracks and more rules, MTB is growing in my area. (And Australia generally) The council (local authorities) have actually built fantastic free tracks (including the jump in the pic, and “Wall of Death” Avatar). I can...

skypig Added a reply to New Rider Question

5/29/2020 3:52pm
No E bike experience. As a rule: Giants are “high spec” for the price. EG 2 Giants I have purchased came with Carbon rims at a price point that this feature was unique. (“Giant” branded - have proven to be perfect so far.) By using “Giant” branded things like bars/stem/seat/seat post, they sometimes manage to fit higher spec gears/brakes at...

skypig Added a reply to Low friction fork seals?

5/17/2020 6:52pm
Hi, My understanding is: “Bushing resized” = “Fine tuning” of bushes. EG if bushing clearance is too little - the forks would be tight/restricted in movement. Clearance too much - “free play” and possible jamming. We are talking potentially no, or small improvement depending on how close the factory got it. Another thing I believe they do, is ensure the...

skypig Added a reply to help with deciding bike

5/15/2020 5:46pm
A “Magic” bike? There are compromises- “Uphill easily” - light, shorter travel. Electric?!? Hit some jumps/240lbs - stronger, more travel, bigger tires. Long distances on the road - Not knobbys! I’d get a Giant Trance 29er (Lifetime warrenty on frame). Highest model in your budget, (Pro 1?) and a second set of wheels with road tires.

skypig Added a reply to Adding Internal Dropper Post

5/8/2020 7:04pm
Being, er, “more experienced” (Old), I had ridden all my life with fixed seat position. A new bike came with a dropper. “Put it down for jumps/stunts” so I tried it a few times. Hated it - couldn’t feel the seat for “security”. Used the dropper - every time I came to a halt. Never used it for riding. Always...

skypig Added a reply to Random musing: Road vs. MTB frame prices

5/6/2020 3:06pm
Slight drift - I can barely believe how fast MTBs are changing. My 2012 Trance (AM) has geometry closer to a 2017 Anthem (XC) (I bought a 2017 Trance) 2012 32mm forks 26” wheels 2017 34mm forks 27.5” wheels 2020 36mm forks 29” wheels (Reign - “Enduro”) The rake on the Reign would have made it a “Chopper” when I...

NoahColorado Liked a reply to forum topic Random musing: Road vs. MTB frame prices

5/6/2020 3:00pm
Re: the evolution of mountain bikes outpacing road, I think a lot of that has to do with the actual sport itself changing with the former, and not really at all with the latter. Roads be roads. Gravel is the obvious exception there, and there's actually a lot of innovation in that area over the last 2 years. As well, road cycling has been around over a century, MTB only about 40 years. Road has had 60+ more years to evolve. I'm not expecting MTBs to change much from 2070-2080. But, it's a matter of perspective too. To a roadie...
This forum topic has 18 replies.

skypig Added a reply to Random musing: Road vs. MTB frame prices

5/5/2020 3:38pm
I think this is the crux of the subject. A rigid MTB and a road bike should be about the same price, for same “quality”. Virtually every MTB has suspension forks, and many have sophisticated rear suspension, so they logically should be more expensive. I think there is a fair bit of fact in the “what the market will bear”...

skypig Added a reply to Random musing: Road vs. MTB frame prices

5/4/2020 8:39pm
One factor seems to be: “levels” In MTB, often the “Top Level” might be allegedly superior “lay up/technique”. EG Santa Cruz “Carbon C” v Carbon CC” (Probably still made in Taiwan or China.) Roadies often have another “level” again - EG “Made in Italy”

skypig Added a reply to Getting back into the game

4/30/2020 7:44pm
My 2c. In that price range, I’d consider a Hardtail. You get a better bike, with less mtce. Things to ensure that the bike is “current”. No front derailleur Hydraulic disc brakes (Pref “name brand” - but I’ve found upgrading to Shimano “XT” 2 pistons to be great value - shopping around online.) Dropper post (If not installed, look at...

skypig Added a reply to $2500 FS Options

4/27/2020 5:05pm
I have 2 Giant Trances (2012, 2017) Both have been great bikes - they are the higher priced Carbon versions. I have no affiliation with Giant - I was on the verge of buying a Canyon Strive, but decided to buy a new Giant Reign. This was partially based on the perfectly handled warranty claim on one of my Trances...

skypig Added a comment about bike check GIANT Reign 29 2

4/24/2020 7:31pm
I’m 174cm, running a M frame, my 3rd Medium Giant. (2012 Trance, 2017 Trance) Due the steep seat, I find the cockpit feels “short”. The “reach” is listed as longer than the 2017 Trance, but with a (shorter than stock) 50mm stem on the ‘17 Trance it is Still approx 20mm longer (sit bones - handlebars) than the 2020 Reign. I’m planning on trying a 10mm longer - 50mm stem. It’s not terrible, but I find the difference a bit “confusing”. Doesn’t seem too “natural”.
This bike check has 8 comments.